Wednesday 24th May: Going on Going at LaVallée, Brussels

A short (or long?) weekend exhibition at the capital’s LaVallée will see an impressive international collection of young, rising contemporary artists. Peyton Cimino, Lise De Meulemeester, Constance Neuenschwander and Axelle Ringoet are just some of the few visionaries who will presenting their work, touching upon the cyclicism of creativity and the question of infectious production. Keep the wheels rolling.

Leuven’s prime hip-hop party squad SHUTTLE has set up the perfect weekend starter, inviting the likes of Dutch Soulection hero Jarreau Vandal; and local dons Grover, DJ Dysfunkshunal, and many more. The concise line-up is sure to set the mood just right – all from Leuven’s finest underground lair Rumba & Co. Shake it up.

Friday 26th May: Delta~Wave Festival at Het Bos, Antwerp

Antwerp’s centre for all things experimental Het Bos hosts a three day festival highlighting new music, installation, sound sculptures, graphic design and video art. Undeprinned by mathematical undertones, the affair is dubbed Delta~Wave and will feature concerts by, amongst others, Aymeric De Tapol, Avventur, &apos (who’s just done an Exclusive Mix for us), Capelo, Loto Retina and Köhn, a group exhibition, video projections and a polyhedral environment (we’re just as curious as to what that may be) by Floris Vanhoof.

The post-punk, darkwave lords of Belgium that is Weyrd Son Records will be celebrating it’s fourth anniversary, with a hefty two day festival held at Beursschouwburg. As such, they’re taking this opportunity to showcase a small – yet global – part of their strong roster of signed artists; of course this includes local talents like Animal Youth and Whispering Sons, but also US-based Drab Majesty and Italy’s Soviet Soviet. Go show your love.

Friday 26th May: Vogue Show Off at Palais de la Dynastie, Brussels

Put on your glad rags and dancing shoes, because it’s a vogue-off this Friday: KFDA, HE4RTBROKEN and Vogue & Waacking – and it’s only right that it’s hosted in the grandiose Dynastie Palace off Mont des Arts. Of course, voguing has a rich legacy in LGBTQ (of colour) activism, the ballroom scene, and identity politics; but it would be amiss to forget that voguing is also a celebration of pure pride and fierceness too. So y’all better sissy that walk.

It’s been another impressive contemporary art season in Belgium, and WIELS will be going out with a bang – and for good reasons too. Besides a whole day of free activities and performances in partnership with KFDA – including what’s sure to be a sublime show from 46 young dancers affiliated with P.A.R.T.S. school – the evening will hold an outdoor party to celebrate WIELS ten years of existence, with DJ NiXiE and Simon Hold. Not to be missed.

Saturday 27th May: Rooftop Weekend #3 at Rooftop Summer, Mons

Looks like we’re going to be blessed with good weather this long weekend, and Mons’ completely refurbished Rooftop Summer Bar have got the right idea. Part of their weekly sunny apéro event series, they host two days of lush local music: Saturday sees an ambient, unplugged set from Colorado; whilst Sunday is dedicated to all things electro, with DC Salas, Shéhérazade and Bankro. Treat yourself.

Saturday 27th May: Orpheu & Sweet Alibi at Halles St. Géry, Brussels

The boundary-defying Orphu crew have teamed up with the reinvigorated Halles St. Géry’s Sweet Alibi party concept, to serve all your left-field, underground needs. Old techno soul Beau Wanzer will be providing synthy punk and minimal European electro; accompanied by a live set of DE-BONS-EN-PIERRE, the collaborative project between Beau and local favourite Maoupa Mazzocchetti, and Air LQD. Tickets are limited for this event hosted in Halles’ cosy basement, so don’t sleep.

Sunday 28th May: Omar Souleyman at Vooruit, Ghent

Unlikely cult star and former wedding singer in his native Syria with more than 500 albums to his name, Omar Souleyman bridges his traditional Middle-Eastern sound with more contemporary acid house music – Four Tet produced his debut album Wenu Wenu – and is notorious for his energetic and dynamic live shows. Taking to the stage of Ghent’s Vooruit late May, spectators are in for pounding beats, raw Arabic vocals and roaring synths.

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The Word Magazine is Belgium’s leading English-speaking free media platform, documenting and championing the best in neighbourhood living, music and art. Published every two months, the magazine is distributed in over 500 distribution points across the country.